Episode #59
1. Show Me Island
Show Me Island are a six-piece ska band based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their jams are smooth and groovy featuring a tight horn section and some excellent basslines. Pretty laid back and mellow for the most part, with the occasional upbeat jam. The sound that caught my ears though was their vocalist. It's somewhat raspy, a sweet tone made fit for possibly a big band or even jazz, but it works so well with what they're currently playing (listen to some of the singer's other works HERE, a guest spot on the track, Push off the Wall). They have an EP out right now titled, MV:MMXII, featuring six songs of nice ska and reggae jams (check it out on their Bandcamp HERE). Lovely tunes. Show Me Island's song on this episode is titled, So Long For Something, off of, MV:MMXII.
2. Go Jimmy Go
I've been listening to Go Jimmy Go for a little while now. And still loving it. I picked up their first album (I'd say maybe first official release? I once saw a tape for sale for what I believe was a set they did on Monday Night Live at KTUH) at Tower Records when that place was still the one place to pick up music. It was nice to hear their tracks, freshly recorded and clear. It was gold. They later re-released that album, Slow Time, I think with a re-mastering or re-mix of the songs, along with a couple additional tracks. They only got better with their craft of sweet song writing with the follow up, Soul Arrival. The Mama Bird track on that album is pretty amazing. The band will be playing a show on November 16th. Details HERE. Listen to other songs from this band on Episode 09 and Episode 29. Go Jimmy Go's song on this episode is titled, Tin Penny, off of, Slow Time.
3. Crookedhook
Crookedhook were a four-piece punk and ska band from Toronto. I just read recently (the band posted this back in August), that the members are hanging up the band. For now that is, according to the post on their Facebook HERE. I've been listening to them for only a short while, and they've been playing for sometime now, but still sad to hear that though. During their active years, the band has released two EP's (Rock or Walk and Breathe Pollution) and one album, All We Got, and even had their version of, Silent Night, as part of the Punk the Halls Vol. 1 compilation (check it out HERE as well as their other tunes on Episode 08 and Episode 17). They also produced music videos for the songs, Love Tunnel and Breathe Pollution. Fantastic tracks. Always nice to listen to. Crookedhook's song on this episode is titled, Down It Goes, off of, All We Got.
4. Hella Jalapenos
Hella Jalapenos are a six-piece pop and ska band from San Jose, California. This band's style of ska and pop differs from a lot of traditional third wave and reggae styles, but they know how to keep it interesting and upbeat. Loads of keys and organ sounds saturate a majority of their tunes. They have one album (Burning Up the Keys) and two EP's (Heat Wave and Taking the Heat). Their most recent release is their EP, Taking the Heat, which a music video was also produced, for the track, Go Man Go! (check it out HERE). I first heard about this band after checking out the Rubber Bucket Records roster (check it out HERE). Hella Jalapenos' song on this episode is titled, Shoot Me Down, off of the album, Burning Up the Keys.
5. Black Star Dub Collective
Black Star Dub Collective are a massive group of musicians and crew based in Manchester, England. This band plays some rather excellent reggae and dub tunes, with lots of delay in the guitars and solid basslines. A lot of the tunes are atmospheric and vast with an on and off hint of electronics, probably placed there to enhance your trip while you listen to them. Either way, the jams are solid and continuous. It was because of the TNS Records Podcast that I heard of the band. And the same track was also featured on the the label's third compilation, These Troublesome Thinkers and a part of their debut release, From Rusholme With Dub. They also have a handful of tracks available for free download on their Bandcamp HERE. Black Star Dub Collective's song on this episode is titled, Leviathan.
Back to PLAYLIST